Samar Minallah Khan

Samar

Minalah

Khan

Anthropologist & Filmmaker

CONTENTS

ABOUT

PAGE 3

TRAININGS

PAGE 4

FILM & ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS

PAGE 8

MEDIA

PAGE 9

PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS

PAGE 13

Contact

PAGE 14

ABOUT

Samar Minallah Khan is a notable figure in the fields of justice and innovation. With an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, she has dedicated herself to addressing traditional practices and gender inequalities. Her work spans from Pakistan to Fiji, where she has been instrumental in bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary legal systems.

In her capacity as a filmmaker, Samar has produced documentaries that have challenged social norms and fostered legislative change, particularly against the backdrop of compensation marriages in Pakistan. These films have been recognized internationally, earning accolades and respect in global circles.

Her creative endeavors also include the innovative use of Truck Art as a medium for social messaging, an initiative that has garnered international awards and recognition. Her contributions extend to consulting roles with various international bodies, including the United Nations and the World Bank, where she has influenced policy and practice in child rights and social protection.

Samar continues to be an active voice and agent for change, combining her deep understanding of cultural contexts with strategic communication to impact a diverse audience worldwide. Her work represents a confluence of advocacy, art, and activism, contributing to meaningful social development and justice reform.

Training

Samar Minallah Khan has dedicated over a decade to educating justice sector actors on the complexities of the informal justice system and its profound impact on vulnerable demographics such as women, children, and minorities. Her significant contributions include challenging traditional 'Jirgas' (informal dispute resolution systems) and compensation marriages, notably through a landmark petition filed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2004.

This case, which persisted for over a decade, culminated in decisive rulings that have been celebrated as exemplary instances of judicial activism both in Pakistan and internationally.

Adept in leveraging her deep anthropological insights, Samar customizes her training programs to resonate with the cultural and geographical contexts of her audience, ensuring her solutions are both innovative and applicable. She utilizes a dynamic mix of film and real-life success stories, which she personally selects, to vividly illustrate the positive changes and engage her participants effectively.

As a seasoned trainer and speaker, Samar has collaborated extensively with the police, lower judiciary, and has even presented on customary practices and judicial activism at the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Her expertise has reached beyond national boundaries to international arenas, where she has trained judiciary members and prosecutors in Afghanistan and Timor Leste on the social and cultural impacts affecting women and girls.

Currently based in Timor Leste and Fiji, Samar works with the Asian Development Bank as a trainer and consultant. Her ongoing endeavors continue to fortify judicial systems, encouraging them to incorporate cultural insights, thereby fostering justice and enhanced support for the most vulnerable sectors of society.

https://www.supremecourt.gov.pk/HR_Cases/11thfinal/CP16of2004.pdf.

Training

“Samar Minallah Khan, the feminist Pakistani anthropologist and filmmaker, listened to tribal leaders, religious experts, legal experts, and local people discuss a controversial tribal practice of resolving crimes by “giving” a daughter of the wrongdoer to the family that had been wronged. Her taping these conversations and then convening people to watch the videos led the local communities to change the practice — something that might not have happened had she simply argued with them that the practice was wrong”

Harvard Business Review

Training

Samar possesses extensive experience in training police, judiciary, media personnel, and policymakers on culturally sanctioned forms of violence against women and children. Her expertise focuses on how best to integrate informal and formal justice systems to effectively address these issues in a culturally relevant manner. She has conducted training sessions for civil society organizations in Afghanistan, the UK, and Norway, focusing on practices related to forced marriages within diaspora communities. In Timor Leste and Fiji, she serves as a trainer for the Asian Development Bank, specializing in gender-based violence (GBV).

Training

Film and ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS

Samar Minallah Khan is an alumna of the University of Cambridge with a master's in Anthropology and Development and an internationally acclaimed filmmaker.

She has dedicated over two decades to developing communications content that resonates deeply across various communities and geographical backgrounds. Her commitment to gender studies, youth empowerment, child rights, and social protection is evident in her impactful work that spans borders and cultural divides.

As an adept communicator and a thoughtful filmmaker, Samar excels at capturing the essence of societal narratives, crafting campaigns that bridge cultrual gaps and challenge cultural and societal stereotypes.

Samar’s campaigns have received international acclaim, earning her awards like the Cannes Golden Award, Commonwealth Innovation Award, and Effie Grand Prix Award. These honors attest to her skill in creating compelling narratives that ignite discussion and lead to action.

Her deep understanding of Pakistan's dynamic context in technical education and vocational training positions her as a strategic innovator in the field. Samar's empathetic and informed approach ensures her campaigns not only speak to the audience but also galvanize them towards empowerment and skill acquisition.

Leading with insight and empathy, Samar Minallah Khan’s vision for communication is not just about crafting messages—it's about starting a conversation that leads to lasting change.